RELAX MILITARY ROUTINE.

The time for inflexible military discipline in the University is past. A few weeks ago the Nation needed military leaders, then every factor which was instrumental in producing capable officers was desirable,--hence, the teaching of military discipline by a strict observance of it was clearly necessary. Now the Nation needs civilian leaders, and every factor which hampers their preparation to fulfill this need is undesirable and represents a lack of foresight on the part of those in command.

Since a degree and not a commission has become the new goal of every undergraduate still in the military units, hitherto inexorable military rules and regulations should be relaxed as far as is practicable. It is but a few weeks until the non-commissioned officers and privates will all be civilians pursuing their regular college work again. Consequently, it is vastly more important to them and to the Nation, too, that they should have adequate time for the preparation of college courses, than that the doorknobs of the Freshman dormitories should outshine the sun.

Not only is much time being lost regularly on the unnecessarily strict observance of routine, but the officers in some cases regard this as the "open season" for all week-end leaves of absence. Trivial infractions are punished by confinement to barracks and a number of hours of fatigue duty at the week-end. Such a policy plays havoc with the victim's time for study. For, he is not only denied the use of the library, and freedom of action for similar purposes, but brass and window polishing is substituted, per force, for necessary preparation of courses. The result is discouragment to the individual and a loss to the Nation of his time which should have been more profitably spent.

Therefore, the inflexibility of mere routine and form should be promptly relaxed wherever it tends to hamper the college work of the men in uniform. The University has done its part in facilitating transition to normal college life by allowing the immediate entrance of men into regular courses. Hence, it is the duty of the military authorities to do their share in bridging the gap, by relaxing discipline as much as possible where a conflict with the best interests of the regular college work occurs.